Jalen Carter was the initial first-round pick to sign his rookie deal.
Before the season, the former Georiga All-American manifested huge goals, and through four weeks in Sean Desai’s system, he’s on his way toward a triumphant affirmation.
Buy Eagles TicketsCarter wants to win the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award and heading into a Week 6 matchup against the Jets and Quinnen Williams at MetLife Stadim, the defensive tackle has staked his claim to that award and a potential Pro Bowl and All-Pro nomination.
We’re tracking Carter’s path to winning the award from now until Week 17, and ahead of Sunday’s game against the Jets, it’s Carter’s award to lose after the Christian Gonzalez injury news from two weeks ago.
1. Jalen Carter
Carter already has 3.5 sacks, and the Eagles have the NFL’s No. 1 rushing defense through five weeks. Philadelphia allows just 61.2 rushing yards per game. The Eagles have allowed only two rushing touchdowns all season.
Carter is Pro Football Focus’s highest-graded interior defender in the NFL after five games. Carter recorded two sacks and finished with four tackles in the Eagles’ 23-14 against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5.
Carter’s 91.8 season-long grade leads all defensive tackles.
2. Devon Witherspoon, CB--Seahawks
The first-round pick entered the discussion after his massive performance against the Giants on Monday Night Football.
Witherspoon logged two sacks, seven tackles, three QB hits, and a highlight reel 97-yard pick-six off Daniel Jones during a 24-3 victory over the Giants.
The Seahawks were on bye in Week 5, but Witherspoon retained his spot at No. 3.
Witherspoon has an interception and three pass breakups this season. He has allowed just a 61.6 passer rating on throws into his coverage.
3. Edge rusher Will Anderson --Texans
Anderson has 21 tackles and one sack on the season, while being overshadowed by C.J. Stroud’s hot start.
Anderson’s pass rush win rate of 30.1% is third best in the league and he’s pressured the quarterback successfully.
4. Edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu --Chargers
The Chargers 2023 second-round pick has stepped up in a big way due to injuries among the edge rushers.
5. DB Brian Branch -- Lions
Branch has been the best rookie defennsive back in the league flourishing as a safety and one of the top young slot corners in the NFL.
Branch (ankle) wasn’t able to play in Week 5, but he’s earned a top-10 grade in both coverage (90.2) and run defense (89.2) over Weeks 3 and 4.
Through four games, Branch was tied for the team lead in tackles (25) and tackles for loss (three), and has a pick-six off QB Patrick Mahomes for a touchdown against the Chiefs in the season opener.
